St. Joseph Church
7240 West 57th St., Summit

St. Joseph’s celebrated 100 years of service to God and his people on Nov. 3. The first church, built in 1902, was destroyed by fire in 1918. This third edifice, with its semi-circular modern design, dedicated in 1970, is the work of Charles Stade. It uses brick, wood and light to make a strong architectural statement.

The interior’s dark mottled brick has a bold skylight over the chancel, where walls vault heavenward. Master woodcarver Ernst Schwidder, an important American Christian artist, left his mark here, including his characteristic carved biblical quotations, on the unique altar of sacrifice, baptismal font, ambo, a Christ crucified, a Christ resurrected, and crowning all, his coming in glory over the sanctuary. Off the main church, which seats 900, there is a Eucharistic chapel and daily Mass room.

Two celebrations that draw all the multi-ethnic parishioners together are the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12 and a St. Joseph table in March that always includes sharing parish St. Adalbert.

Pastor: Father Ted Bojczuk
Masses: Saturdays 5 p.m./ Sundays 7:30, 9, 10:30 a.m.; noon
Phone: (708) 458-0501